Asia in style, Girls’ Team title secured in commanding manner

25 Oct 2016

Impressive, an understatement, Asia won the Girls’ Team title at the 2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Shanghai, China on Tuesday 25th October; fielding the trio of Huang Yingqi, Miyuu Kihara and Lee Ka Yee, on the second day of competition, not one single game was surrendered.

China with Chen Yi, Fang Xiaoyu and Xu Fan in action finished in runners up spot; third spot was the lot of Europe who selected from Zdena Blaskova, Anastasia Kolish, Tania Plaian and Anna Wegrzyn. Meanwhile, fourth place finished in the hands of the North America outfit formed by Ivy Liao, Isabelle Xiong, Amy Wang and Crystal Wang.

Lee Ka Yee unbeaten for Team Asia (Photo: Xu Changsheng)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

A three-nil semi-final success was recorded against by Asia against Europe with Anastasia Kolish, the player to pose questions. She extended Huang Yingqi, the full five match distance (10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8), after Miyuu Kihara had beaten Tania Plaian (11-5, 13-11, 11-6) and prior to Lee Ka Yee concluding matters by defeating Zdena Blaskova (15-17, 11-7, 11-1, 11-9).

An authoritative performance in the penultimate round; it was the same in the final against China. Miyuu Kihara gave Asia the ideal start by beating Xu Fan (12-10, 11-4, 11-13, 13-11), before Huang Yingqi accounted for Fang Xiaoyu (12-10, 11-9, 11-2) and Lee Ka Yee terminated matters by defeating Chen Yi (11-3, 11-7, 15-13).

“We are very happy with the victory, this is my first time representing the Asian team in this tournament. I’m very thankful to our team, even though we came from different countries and speak different languages, we are very bonded. Whenever any of us faced any problems during the matches, we will always encourage and cheer for each other.” Huang Yingqi

First and second places for Asia and China; it was third place for Europe but North America could most certainly be proud of their efforts.

They tested China at the semi-final stage with Crystal Wang beating Xu Fan (11-7, 11-5, 11-7) in the opening match of the fixture before Amy Wang almost doubled the lead. She recovered from a two games to nil deficit against Fang Xiaoyu to force a decider; alas from a North American perspective she was unable to complete the recovery, an agonising five games defeat was the end result (11-3, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8).

“As the first choice of our team, I make the preparation to win two points. Today, my opponent caused me a lot of trouble but I got through it. Now I need a rest; I can foresee the final will be tough but I will try my best. Zhang Yining will be coming to watch the final, so that will encourage me and my teammates.” Fang Xiaoyu following China’s semi-final win against North America

It was a brave effort by the North Americans and it was brave effort in the third place fixture; they extended Europe the full five match distance.

Imposing as against China, Amy Wang was the same in opposition to Europe. She beat both Anna Wegrzyn (11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5) and Anastasia Kolish (13-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8) but that was to prove the sum total of North American success.

Ivy Liao was beaten by both Anastasia Kolish (11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5) and by Anna Wegrzyn (8-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7); whilst in the third match of the fixture, Isabelle Xiong suffered at the hands of Zdena Blaskova (11-7, 11-8, 13-11).

The team events concluded, play resumes of Thursday 27th October after the Cultural Day has given all a time to catch their breath.